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Drinks Food & Drink

The Best Bars In Toronto: 2013

In this special bar feature, in no particular order, we highlight some of the city’s key drink trends and the best spots to make the most of them.

Kick off with cocktails, which have become part of our leisure lexicon. Sophisticated drink lists have become requisite in most bars and the thirst for classics like old-fashioneds and Manhattans has hit fever pitch.

Now that we know how quality cocktails should taste, we want to imbibe unique concoctions. Creative and craft ingredients, often locally sourced, are in demand, be they components of a cocktail or a pint of microbrew.

Speaking of which, beer culture is exploding in Ontario, too. More drinkers are eschewing the watered-down dribble of mass-produced suds for charismatic, locally brewed IPAs, farmhouse ales and sours.

For an unsexy moment, bars got super-serious, with unsmiling mixologists pontificating on the history of bitters and wine geeks snickering at requests for Pinot Grigio. Fortunately, we’re settling down and realizing that drinking sucks when it’s elitist and should be, above all, a good time. Accordingly, more and more spots are championing fun and relaxation.

How the hell are we supposed to keep up with all these drinking trends? By fortifying our constitutions courtesy of delectable bar snacks, of course. Thanks to a number of kitchens pumping out small plates till 2 am, it’s never been so easy to eat better later.

Amidst all this booze-related activity, we’re also going back to basics. Hospitality is at a premium, and the industry’s best are balancing the roles of comedian, matchmaker, educator and curator of memorable experiences.

There are a slew of excellent reasons to drink up, T.O. The short order: get your ass out on the town and see for yourself.

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  • 1

    Cocktail Bar

    923 Dundas W, Toronto, Ontario M6J 1W3

    The Hoof’s pristine cocktail joint’s vibe is like a speakeasy in plain sight. The most recent drinks list – a collaborative effort between owner Jen Agg and bar manager David Greig – deserves a timely (and extended) visit. The menu’s almost as fun to read as it is to drink through – almost. Classics like the Vieux Carré, daiquiri and Martinez are mixed memorably and presented in vintage crystal. An all-round excellent stop for excellent drinks.

    Hours Daily 6:30 pm to 2 am.

    Accessibility Five steps at entrance steps down to washrooms.

  • 2

    Harbord Room – CLOSED

    89 Harbord, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1G4

    THR’s reputation for mastered classics has been running strong since it opened almost six years ago. Regular diners, cocktail enthusiasts and industry folk line up along the glossy wooden bar to sip through co-owner Dave Mitton’s signature list and soak up the charm oozing from the adorable pink room. Order your preferred old-school cocktail – Manhattans and Negronis are perfect here – or try a reworked classic like the Toronto Sour ($14) made from Cana­dian rye whisky, lemon and maple syrup with a float of Norman Hardie’s Cabernet Franc.

    Hours Daily 5:30 pm to close.

    Accessibility 3 steps at entrance washrooms in basement.

  • 3

    Toronto Temperance Society

    577A College, Toronto, Ontario M6G 1B2

    This members-only cocktail den roosts incognito above its sister establishment, Sidecar, which is also known for killer cocktails. A Prohibition-era speakeasy vibe prevails. The drinks are stiff and expertly executed by perfect gentlemen Robin Kaufman and Oliver Stern, while old-timey chanteuses coo in the background. House rules dissuade the use of cellphones, so you can enjoy unparalleled classics and top-ranking house tipples in peace while gazing at one of Toronto’s most beautiful back bars. Wavering on committing to the (worthwhile) annual fee? Give TTS a trial run by ingratiating yourself with the Sidecar crew.

    Hours Daily 6 pm to close.

    Accessibility Members gain access to the second floor via College entrance newcomers inquire politely via Sidecar or online.

  • 4

    Indie Ale House

    2876 Dundas Street West, Toronto, Ontario M6P 1Y8

    With a spotlight on English and Belgian styles and a basement full of resting barrels, Indie Ale House is making a splash in the local craft beer scene. An experimental approach has led to ­collaborations with local and international breweries like Toronto’s Bellwoods and Italy’s Bruton. The spacious brew pub, warmed by wood and lea­ther accents, attracts locals and beer enthusiasts seeking house staples and specialties like the Broken Hipster Belgian Wit, Instigator West Coast IPA and Ralph’s Nuts hazelnut and chestnut Saison (collabo with House Ales). Satisfy your Indie addiction at their beer store, where you can sign up for the Growler Club to access special brews on a monthly basis.

    Hours Tuesday to Thursday noon to 1 am, Friday and Saturday noon to 2 am, Sunday noon to 10 pm, Monday 5 pm to midnight.

    Accessibility Entrance barrier-free washrooms on main floor.

  • 5

    Bar Volo – CLOSED

    587 Yonge, Toronto, Ontario M4Y 1Z4

    One of the founding fathers of the Toronto craft beer scene, Bar Volo is not resting on its laurels (or hops). Known for curating one of the best beer lists in town – consistently full of rarities and one-offs – the Morana family opened Volo 25 years ago, overseeing its gradual transformation from Italian restaurant to craft beer kingdom. The Volo crew just co-hosted their ninth annual Cask Days festival featuring hundreds of cask-conditioned ales from over 100 Canadian microbreweries. If you don’t dawdle, there may be some delectable leftovers in your future.

    Hours Monday to Thursday 2 pm to 2 am, Friday to Sunday noon to 2 am.

    Accessibility Entrance barrier-free washrooms in basement.

  • 6

    Bar Hop

    391 King W, Toronto, Ontario M5V 1K1

    Voted best draught selection in Ontario at the recent 2013 Golden Tap Awards, Bar Hop is a go-to for anyone seriously – or mildly – interested in beer. Always bustling with thirsty hordes, the 36 taps and two casks pump a rotating selection of local, international, rare, collaborative and seasonal brews. If you fancy a killer combo of malted goodness, request a whisk(e)y flight to pair with your pint ($11 to $13) there’s a fair selection of brown spirits nestled above the Hop’s taps. Oysters are a buck a shuck on Tuesdays – otherwise known as the perfect excuse to get cozy with a pint of stout.

    Hours Monday to Friday noon to 2 am, Saturday and Sunday 4 pm to 2 am.

    Accessibility 3 steps to entrance washrooms in basement.

  • 7

    Hole in the Wall

    2867A Dundas W, Toronto, Ontario M6P 2T1

    Enter this Junction local, quite literally, through a door-shaped hole in the wall at the end of an outdoor hallway. You can usually locate it with relative ease by tracking the stream of smokers pouring out and packing back in. Once in the long, narrow refuge, belly up to the bar and order your chosen poison, be it craft brew, cask ale or cocktail. An eclectic, friendly and all-around awesome spot with live music most nights, it’s the kind of bar where hours feel like minutes.

    Hours Monday to Saturday 4 pm to 2 am, Sunday noon to 2 am.

    Accessibility Entrance barrier-free washrooms on main floor.

  • 8

    Hitch Bar Limited

    1216 Queen E, Toronto, Ontario M4M 1L7

    Named for literary icon and infamous imbiber Christopher Hitchens, this Leslie­ville local is indeed a fine place to drink the waters of inspiration. Owner Doug Tiller, who also runs Mercury ­Espresso down the street, built his bar to reflect his living space, which speaks volumes about how comfortable his home must be. Settle on fuss-free whisky cocktails (old-fashioneds, Manhattans and sours) or a handful of local taps and wines, then kick back and linger for a few to do Hitch proud.

    Hours Thursday to Saturday 5 pm to 2 am, Sunday to Wednesday 5 pm to midnight.

    Accessibility Entrance barrier-free washrooms on main floor.

  • 9

    Banners and Royalty

    1602 Dundas W, Toronto, Ontario

    At the chilled-out bar with many names (a chalkboard propped up in the front window changes nightly depending on the whims of management) the shelves are beginning to buckle under whisky weight. A multitude of Scotch and bourbon bottles – one of T.O.’s more extensive but lesser-known whisk(e)y selections – beckon from the bar, daring you to resist their charms. Further insight into 1602’s awesomeness: the dimly lit bar is routinely full of regulars sipping ­spirits, beer and cocktails, remixing the soundtrack of classic tunes with their laughter.

    Hours Daily 6 pm to close.

    Accessibility Entrance barrier-free washrooms in basement.

  • 10

    Drake One Fifty

    150 York, Toronto, Ontario M5H 3S5

    At the Drake’s trendy new financial district adjunct, you can escape the office for a calibre of cocktail you can’t mix from the stash squirrelled away in your desk. Styled by British designer Martin Brudnizki, the stunning room draws on an eclectic mix of influences – postmodern, pop with hints of deco, and luxe 50s diner. Oh, and art – there’s art everywhere. The cocktail list reflects those contexts while being typically Drake-onian and trend-conscious. It opens with low-octane offerings like The Suppressor #21 (Cynar, barolo chi­nato, sherry and orange bitters, $13) and Sandy De Almeida’s No Country For Old Men (Carpano Antica, fernet, lemon and Pernod, $12) and rounds out with fruity session options like the Sherry Cobbler (Oloroso, sugar, citrus and seasonal berries, $11) and boozy splurges like the Baller Manhattan (Colonel E.H. Taylor rye, Carpano Antica and bitters, $25).

    Hours Thursday and Friday 11:30 am to 2 am, Saturday 5 pm to 2 am, Sunday to Wednesday 11:30 am to 1 am.

    Accessibility One step at entrance washrooms on main floor.

  • 11

    Northwood

    815 Bloor W, Toronto, Ontario M6G 1M1

    This cozy café and cocktail bar is nestled on an otherwise fallow strip of Bloor beside Christie Pits. Subtle Victoriana – a wrought iron cage encasing the back bar, brick and black-painted walls and flickering candlelight – sets a relaxed and romantic vibe in which to enjoy bar manager Ana Wolkowski’s seasonal cocktails. Try the Lady Grey Sour, a house favourite mixed with tea-infused rye, lemon and black pepper ($10), or take Shelter From The Night – cedar-infused rye with Fernet, peppercorns, apple and lemon ($11). Northwood is also a purveyor of fine caffeinated beverages get a second wind courtesy of the shiny espresso machine before delving deeper into your cups.

    Hours Daily 10 am to 2 am.

    Accessibility One step at entrance washrooms downstairs.

  • 12

    Geraldine – closed

    1564 Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario M6R 1A6

    Parkdale got a whole lot classier when Geraldine, with glistening white tiles, elegantly curved marble bar, copper oyster bed and vintage absinthe drip, moved into the ‘hood. Barman Michael Mooney’s cocktail list is introduced with sage words from Humphrey Bogart: “The problem with the world is that everyone is a few drinks behind.” But being left behind won’t happen here. Between lovely house cocktails like the Grand Amber (Bulleit, Averna, Grand Marnier, orange blossom water and bitters) and the Antoinette (Citadelle gin, lavender syrup, orange bitters and grapefruit zest, both $10) and the warm, attentive and attractive staff, Geraldine will make your night.

    Hours Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 6 pm to midnight, Friday and Saturday 6 pm to 2 am. Closed Tuesday.

    Accessibility Entrance barrier-free washrooms on main floor.

  • 13

    Midfield

    1434 Dundas W, Toronto, Ontario M6J 1Y7

    With its understatedly glorious wines and superb hospitality, the Midfield has my vote for classiest wine bar in town. Co-owners Christopher Sealy and Giuseppe Anile serve an eclectic range of world wines in astonishingly accessible fashion in their space reminiscent of a pared-down Italian taverna. Sealy, a well-loved sommelier with an enormous reservoir of wine knowledge, hosts occasional classes highlighting various varietals, styles and terroirs. Details online.

    Hours Daily 6 pm to 2 am.

    Accessibility Entrance barrier-free washrooms downstairs.

  • 14

    Skin + Bones

    980 Queen E, Toronto, Ontario

    The first lesson’s on the wall at Leslieville’s Skin + Bones, where the wine grape family tree developed by the University of California has been artistically and comprehensively reimagined. Your education continues as you settle somewhere in the sprawling space and order one of three rotating wine flights (three 2-ounce compact expeditions into terroir, style or varie­tals). Note that the perch of choice for chatting up the friendly, knowledgeable staff is the long, wooden bar facing the wine fridges, the Enomatic and the charcoal wall primped with glittery Riedels. Co-owner Harry Wareham (Jacobs & Co., Pizza Libretto) says the international wines are served based on their “textbook” expressions or eccentric character, which makes this a go-to for those looking to learn. The elegant list, shaped by sommelier Peter Boyd, isn’t cheap but offers selections in 3 or 6 ounce pours. Questions, no matter how dumb, are answered kindly and informatively.

    Hours Sunday to Thursday 5 to 11 pm, Friday and Saturday 5 pm to midnight closed Monday.

    Accessibility Entrance barrier-free washrooms on main floor.

  • 15

    Archive

    909 Dundas W, Toronto, Ontario M6J 1V9

    At Archive, owned by sibling duo Josh and Joel Corea, there’s only one way to describe the service and consumption of wine: incredibly laid back. Cicchetti (Venetian-style bar nibbles) are served till late, providing guests with the best possible excuse to spend some quality time with 30-plus wines by the glass (reasonably priced from $8 to $14). Local wines are heavily repped – half the list is devoted to Ontario – with Old World appearances from Greece, Portugal, Spain, France and Italy.

    Hours Daily 5 pm to 2 am.

    Accessibility Entrance barrier-free washrooms in basement.

  • 16

    Salt

    225 Ossington, Toronto, Ontario M6J 2Z8

    Technically a wine bar, Salt’s got more than a fine selection of Portuguese ­vinhos. Barman Nick Kennedy mixes mai tais ($14) with homemade orgeat (which he makes with roasted almonds and orange-blossom water) and pops bottle-carbonated cocktails for $12 (the Sparkling Aperitivo tastes like a Negroni went to bed with a creamsicle – in a good way). Kennedy is always tinkering with new territory – from a charred cedar Manhattan he pan-smokes in front of you ($14) to house-made bitters showcasing local flavours. Stay tuned for the fruits of a (still incubating) leather-aged cocktail program and a bone-marrow-washed vermouth.

    Hours Sunday to Thursday 6 to 11 pm, Friday and Saturday 6 pm to 2 am.

    Accessibility One step at door washrooms in basement.

  • 17

    Ursa – closed

    924 Queen W, Toronto, Ontario

    Ursa’s bar program, led by GM Robin Goodfellow, is an extension of the restaurant’s wildly creative and visionary kitchen. A glance at the cocktail list – categorized by classic, modern and seasonal options – reveals Goodfellow’s penchant for crafted ingredients. He makes his own vermouth, crème de violette, limoncello and amer, a long-lost liqueur made from meticulously zested Seville oranges and featured in his Shaw Cocktail ($15). Goodfellow employs culinary techniques like sous vide for infusions and is currently incubating a house-made amaro flavoured with herbs grown in Ursa’s backyard garden.

    Hours Daily 6 pm to 2 am.

    Accessibility Two steps at entrance washrooms in basement.

  • 18

    Barchef

    472 Queen W, Toronto, Ontario M5V 2B2

    Frankie Solarik’s signature approach to mixology has garnered BarChef, co-owned with Brent VanderVeen, a widespread reputation. Craft components and quality spirits star, and house-made bitters, syrups and infusions are used to mix some of the city’s most inventive drinks. Accommodating a range of tastes, the menu ­offers crowd-pleasers like the basil daiquiri (coconut rum, basil, lime, pineapple, honey and black pepper ­syrup) and slow sippers like the Backwoods Boulevardier (Backwoods-infused bourbon, sweet vermouth and Campari, both $13). The modernist section gets playful on the molecular level – mojito “ravioli” and beach essence join spiced rum, lime and vanilla in the Sailor’s Mojito ($25). The pièce de résistance is the Vanilla Hickory Smoked Manhattan ($45), smoked to order in a bell jar.

    Hours Tuesday to Friday 6 pm to close, Saturday 8 pm to close, closed Sunday and Monday.

    Accessibility Entrance barrier-free washrooms in basement.

  • 19

    Rhum Corner

    926 Dundas W, Toronto, Ontario M6J 1W3

    Jen Agg and husband Roland Jean’s newly opened Haitian joint is the closest you’ll get to a tropical rum-and-snack shack without having to book a flight. Order a plate of curried goat and a side of salty-sweet fried plaintain to hold you while you dip into delectable rums under the easy-going gaze of Jean’s cheeky Barbancourt mural. On offer are hyper-addictive booze slushies (the pina colada is a tropical journey in your mouth), frescos (rhum agricole and fruit syrup over crushed ice) in adorable copper mugs, and the best damn rum and cokes in town.

    Hours Thursday to Monday 6 pm to 2 am closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

    Accessibility Two steps at entrance a few steps to the washroom.

  • 20

    416 Snack Bar

    181 Bathurst, Toronto, Ontario M5T 2R7

    T.O.’s pioneer of late-night gourmet nibbles, 416 Snack Bar is designed for post-work decompression, but patrons linger in the compact space for hours, often finding themselves, snacks in fist, sipping craft beer and excellent wines by the glass till last call. A rotating menu of small plates ($3-$12) inspired by Toronto’s multicultural cuisine – Trini doubles, spicy tuna hand rolls, steak tartare, an all-Cana­dian cheese board – renders a bigger, cutlery-dependent meal unnecessary. ­Arrive early if you fancy a seat this place is rammed every night of the week. Ask to peek at the underexposed but epic wine list if you’re looking for something extra-special.

    Hours Daily 5 pm to 2 am.

    Accessibility One step at entrance washrooms on main floor.

  • 21

    Bar Isabel

    797 College, Toronto, Ontario M6G 1C7

    In Spain you’re a freak if you indulge in dinner before 10 pm. At Isabel, you have a much better chance of securing a seat after 10 pm. Ah, the pleasures of authenticity. Post-dinner service (the full menu is available until 11:30 pm during the week and till midnight on weekends), a slightly abbreviated late- night menu rolls out, giving you the option of feasting on boquerones ($9) and whole octopus ($59) till 2 am. Cocktails mixed by Mike Webster (the Drake) and Josh Lindley (Rock Lobster) make tasty accompaniments. There’s plenty of beer and wine, too.

    Hours Daily 6 pm to 2 am.

    Accessibility Entrance barrier-free washrooms in basement.

  • 22

    Oddseoul

    90 Ossington, Toronto, Ontario M6J 2Z4

    Odd only in the best of ways, Ossington’s after-dark snack stop peppers traditional Korean with Philly flavour, a nod to sibling co-owners Leemo and Leeto Han’s (of Swish by Han) heritage and American upbringing. To eat: habit-forming tempura prawns, squash poutine, bulgogi cheese steak and probably the most craved fried rice in Toronto (snacks are in the $5 to $7 range). To drink: creative cocktails like the Snow White (gin, sake, yuzu jam and lemon) and False Dawn (Auchentoshan, breakfast tea syrup, grapefruit and lavender, $11) or a concise and interesting list of beers and wines.

    Hours 6pm to close.

    Accessibility One step at entrance washrooms in basement.

  • 23

    3030 Dundas West

    west of Pacific, Toronto, Ontario M6P 1Z3

    Gone are the days when pounding back drinks and trying to get laid were the only activities facilitated by bars. Not that there’s anything wrong with those pastimes, but it’s always nice to diversify. Negroni-fuelled pinball tourneys can count as foreplay. Between six vintage pinball tables, stacks of ­retro board games and frequent shows held on the cavernous back stage, you won’t get bored at 3030. Order from 16 local taps or have barman and bourbon aficionado Lucas Twyman fix you a cocktail.

    Hours Tuesday to Friday 1 pm to close, Saturday and Sunday 10 am to close.

    Accessibility Entrance barrier-free washrooms on main floor.

  • 24

    Get Well

    1181 Dundas Street West, Toronto, Ontario M6J 1X3

    Get Well feels like a cozy and cavernous retro basement but on the first floor. There’s plenty to distract from power drinking – a wedge of classic video­game tables like Pac Man, Space Invaders and Tetris can be attacked in the back along with pinball machines to fuel supremacy matches. A dozen local beers from Muskoka, Niagara Oast House and Flying Monkeys along with Get Well house brews like Get Well Porter and Pinball Wizard A.P.A. are on tap. It’s always packed, so there’s no better way to make a new pal than a little old-school bonding over a few pints.

    Hours 5 pm to 2 am daily.

    Accessibility No barrier at entrance washrooms in the basement.

  • 25

    The Ballroom

    145 John, Toronto, Ontario M5V 2E4

    Who can’t get down with bowling? It’s communal, it’s competitive and it’s fun, even when you kind of suck at it. The upside of the Ballroom? You don’t have to hike to the far reaches of the city to pin down a lane for a few hours. The downside? You pay a premium for the convenience of a central location. But the likelihood of your feeling embittered after a few drinks and a short trek to the next spot is close to nil. Lanes go for a discount $35 an hour Thursday to Sunday before 5 pm, and there are drink specials every night of the week.

    Hours Thursday to Saturday noon to 2 am, noon to midnight Sunday, Monday to Wednesday 5 pm to midnight.

    Accessibility Three steps at entrance three steps to washrooms.

  • 26

    Rivoli

    334 Queen W, Toronto, Ontario M5V 2A2

    Can you call yourself a Torontonian if you’ve never shot a game of pool while knocking back beers at the Rivoli? It’s debatable. Operating for 30 years, the Rivoli’s second-floor pool lounge is home to 11 tables, a jukebox, a pinball machine and a bar – all you and a few friends need to get by. Hourly rates are reasonable: $6 before 6:30 pm and $10 into the evening. Add $18 pitchers of Amsterdam Blonde or Big Wheel and a few shots of Jameson to the equation and you’ve got a quintessential Queen West experience.

    Hours Daily noon to close.

    Accessibility Up a flight of stairs to second storey washrooms on first and second floors.

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